STOCK ALLOCATION IN GENERAL MULTIECHELON DISTRIBUTION-SYSTEMS WITH (R,S) ORDER-UP-TO-POLICIES

In this paper we analyze stock allocation policies in general N-echelo n distribution systems, where it is allowed to hold stock at all level s in the network. The goal is to achieve differentiated target custome r service levels (fill rates). Various allocation rules and accompanyi ng numerical methods that have already been developed for smaller netw orks are extended and compared in an extensive numerical experiment. W e conclude that the extension of Balanced Stock rationing (see Van der Heijden (1996)) is the most accurate method, in particular in cases o f relatively high imbalance, If the imbalance is not too high, the ext ension of Consistent Appropriate Share rationing (see De Kok et al., 1 994; Verrijdt and De Kok, 1996) performs good as well.